Come With A Clean Heart!

Published: Dec. 11, 2016, 10 a.m.

b'LUKE 3:2-18\\n\\n2 During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: \\n\\u201cA voice of one calling in the desert, \\u2018Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. 5\\tEvery valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all mankind will see God\\u2019s salvation.\\u2019\\u201d\\n7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, \\u201cYou brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, \\u2018We have Abraham as our father.\\u2019 For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.\\u201d 10 \\u201cWhat should we do then?\\u201d the crowd asked. \\n11 John answered, \\u201cThe man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.\\u201d 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized. \\u201cTeacher,\\u201d they asked, \\u201cwhat should we do?\\u201d 13 \\u201cDon\\u2019t collect any more than you are required to,\\u201d he told them. 14 Then some soldiers asked him, \\u201cAnd what should we do?\\u201d He replied, \\u201cDon\\u2019t extort money and don\\u2019t accuse people falsely\\u2014be content with your pay.\\u201d 15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. 16 John answered them all, \\u201cI baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.\\u201d 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.'